The National tribune. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1877-1917, 1887-06-16
THE FLAG AT JACKSON.
A Statement Well Fortified by orieial Testimony

Statement Well Fortified by Official Testimony.
EDITOR NATIONAL TRIBUNE: In an issue of
your paper of April 2s we notice a short article
by Maj. George A. Clark in regard to who
raised the flag mt Jackson He was correct as
regards the flag, but was in error rs to the
brave men who planted it; and it is not sur
prising that such an error should occur after
the lapse of so many years. did not intend
to write Of this matter; but as Capt. Martin
died several years ago. and rs / possess pretty
conclusive evidence, that ought to end the con-
troversy about who raised the flag over the
Capitol at Jackson, Miss, OIL the 14th day of
May, 1868, and at the same time do justice to
all, and not deprive any of our brave comrades
OF laurels justly and bravey won, and who have
passed over to the grand army beyond, / have
concluded to say i few words. Col. Sanborn
said in his report, made at the time:
Capt. l. B. Martin a. A.-G on my staff. seized
the flag of the Jgth Ind, (my leading reSiment,)
aud going far in advance of the skrmishers, to the
Capitol raised II over the dome, where 1t remained
until the regiment moved from the town, and
Lieut.. Donaldson, Aid-de-Camp my staff, riding
also far i'm advance Of the skirmishers to the vicin
ity of the prison. seized there n Confederate flag
made of double silk. that cavalry company APP
parently abandoned in their flight. On one side is
the inscription, Claiborne Rangers, on the other,
Our Rights"
1t seems as if the above ought to be conclu-
sive. Col. Fred. Grant in his article described
Capt. Martins appearance as the one who bore
the flag. l recently wrote TO Gen. j. b. San
born for the particulars in relation to this, and
he sent me the following letter:
ST PAUL, March IL, 1887.
DEAR CAPTAIN: / remember all the facts
distinctly about raising the flag on the Capitol of
Mississippi. My brigade had the front line in
ton. and the 59th Ind. the right of the line
OF my brigade. Firing on the skrmish-linc had
ceased, and i rode forward with my staff and
Orderlies and saw al once that the rebel army
In full retreat across Pearl River. directed Capt.
I'm Al kWn
in column at once, right in front, and he did tax
ing the flag of the 59.h Ind the front regiment as
lac came forward from the left to me: and myself,
Capt Martin and Col Alexander rode forward ut
n gaop To the Capitol and dismounted, and all
went into the building. / stopped. and think
Alexander did, when we reached the Hall Of the
House of Representatives, and Martin and one
more Orderiies went to tile top of the dome and
raised the flag over the Capitol. As 1t appeared
the cheers commenced in the front OF the column
and ran back till they died away In the distance.
The flag the flag OF the seth Ind and it was
raised by Capt l.. Il. Martin of the ith Mimi, then
my Adiriant- General.
Yours, truly, JONI Il. SANBoRN.
This, it seems, ought to be sufficient primary
evidence to settle that flag on the dome of the
Capitol at Jackson, with Capt. Martin by its
side. l will say before closing that / am writ
ing and compiling history of the 4th Mimi,
and desire all who can to assist. / want copies
OF daily diaries, kept at the time by members
OF the regiment, or any other facts, to enable
INC 10 MAKE tue TecOIu as accurate as possible.
Credit will be given TO all who furnish any
thing. j have been at work for several months
at this, and if am willing TO devote my time,
il seems as if those who can ought TO aid by
sending me wha. they may have. 1t is quite
an Undertaking TO compile a record of this
kind, and in order TO make it satisfactory, all
who can aid with anything ought to do so,
no matter how little or unimportant they may
deem their knowledge. If any of "our old
boys have records that they have no time to
copy, if they will send them to me / will do
il and return in a few days by express; will
pay the charges both ways. and give ample Sc
curity to do so. l am determined TO complete
these records, and the more assistance get
the better the record will be. / have no par
ticular friends 10 serve and no enemies to
punish. and no desire TO make any money out
of it. Its publication will doubtless be by the
Regimental Society.-A. L. Brown, Regi-
mental Historian, 4th Mimi, BrowntOn, Mimi.